Statement
NATO-Russia
Permanent Joint Council
Meeting at Ministerial level
held in Brussels on 5 December 2000
The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council (PJC) met at the level of Defence
Ministers on Tuesday, 5 December 2000 in Brussels.
Ministers emphasised their commitment to a strong and stable NATO-Russia
partnership aimed at enhancing Euro-Atlantic stability and security, as
enshrined in the Founding Act.
Ministers discussed the situation in the former Yugoslavia, including
the implications of the recent democratic changes, and welcomed the encouraging
trends in the region. They reaffirmed their determination to consult and
cooperate closely in pursuing their common objective of promoting peace,
stability and prosperity in the Balkans. They welcomed the continuing
progress in cooperation between NATO and Russian military officers at
SHAPE, and the excellent cooperation between their military forces in
Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo. They confirmed their joint resolve
to fully implement the provisions of UNSCR 1244 and the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Ministers exchanged views on the defence-military priorities and perspectives
for the NATO-Russia dialogue and cooperation. They endorsed a status report
and agreed a work programme on search and rescue at sea, and welcomed
the progress already made in this area through experts' meetings. In the
spirit of common interest and transparency, they exchanged views on defence
reform in the light of announced or ongoing restructurings of their forces.
They agreed to pursue discussions in this area and to consider possible
ways of expanding their cooperation. They agreed to consult on the opening
of a NATO Military Liaison Mission in Moscow. Finally, Ministers had a
further exchange of views on non-strategic missile defence.
Ministers welcomed the significant progress achieved in the last few
months, and agreed to meet again in June in Brussels.
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